Wet sheetrock behind shower tile

My issue: I was going to regrout my shower tile and noticed one bottom tile was loose. Assuming there was water damage, I removing the tile and the sheetrock paper came with it! Yes it was wet. After a little more inspection the tiles on both sides of the removed tile are loose as well. My questions: 1) Can I dry out and repair the paperless gypsum? 2) If so how? 3) If I cannot, can I simply replace the wet sheetrock with new greenboard and retile?

 

Don...you can do it now or do it later...but tile installed on any type of sheetrock without some sort of waterproof barrier like Ditra or Redgard is destined for failure.

You are looking at ripout and replacement.

 

I was hoping for the simple fix. This home was built in 2006 and I just don't understand why building code still allow tile to sheetrock application. My Christmas vacation just became more work and a bit more expensive. Thank you for the feedback.

 

Don, wow, 2006, that's bad. Often tiling jobs on new houses are afterthoughts. The sheetrock guy comes in and installs sheetrock thinking the plumber will install a surround. Plans change and tile is installed without proper underlayment. Tile guy wasn't the brightest bulb in the box. All the tile and sheetrock has to come down and must be replaced with a vapor barrier, 1/2" concrete backer underlayment, then your tile.
Look at as an "opportunity" to upgrade rather than a downturn in your Christmas spirit. Keep us posted and let us help. We're here. Sleepy sometimes, but here.